Launched in 2015, the Ford Figo immediately established its fun-to-drive character and was a hit among driving enthusiasts. Powering it are three engine options – a 1.2-litre and a 1.5-litre petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel. While the 1.5-litre petrol engine is only available with a six-speed automatic gearbox, the other two are mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Figo is available in a broad list of variants, and our recommendation would be one of the top two – namely, the Titanium or Titanium+ models.

We’d say the diesel is the better pick because you get an efficient car with a good 100hp to play with, and one that does the 0-100kph run in just 10.55sec – an excellent figure for a diesel hatchback. In 2016, the Figo was updated with airbags and ABS on the mid-spec Trend trim. Another update last year saw the S version getting a touchscreen infotainment system. However, finding this variant in the used market is difficult, and, if you do, it’ll be expensive.

Ford had issued a recall for all Figos manufactured between September 2015 and April 2016 to replace (for free) a faulty airbag control module that could lead to the airbags not deploying. If the car in question falls under this timeline, get this part checked. A few customers had also reported the headlights malfunctioning due to the reflector burning out. Also, check for the engine-check light coming on, especially, for cars that have done a fair bit of highway driving, or are based in the outskirts where its difficult to find good quality fuel. If the car is struggling to accelerate, or experiences loss in power, it’s likely to be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) issue, which the service centre will fix free of cost. Check the suspension too, as the bushings for the anti-roll bar tend to wear out. If you hear squeaking or rattling on broken roads, the car will need a new set of bushings. Apart from these, you need to also check for damage to the body, and the regular wear and tear parts like the brake pads and clutch.

Maintaining the Figo is not an expensive affair. A general service will cost you around Rs 3,500-4,500 and parts are relatively cheap as well. Brake pads and clutch assembly cost Rs 1,600 and Rs 5,000, respectively. It is a fairly reliable car, so find a good example and it’ll go a long way. Now, the Figo, being just three years old, commands a rather premium asking price that’s between Rs 5 lakh and 6.5 lakh, depending on the variant and the amount of running it has done. That said, it only makes sense to buy a used example if you can find one under Rs 6 lakh, as a brand-new Figo costs between Rs 7.5 to 9 lakh. Also, that the used model and new one have a lot in common only makes it value for money. Check the car’s service history and, for peace of mind, try to get one that has an extended warranty.

HOW TO GET ONE IN YOUR GARAGE

Buyer beware…

Suspension wear
Check if the car in question is squeaking or crashing over bad roads. It is likely to be faulty suspension bushings, which is relatively inexpensive to fix.

Faulty EGR valve
If there’s a rough idle or if the car’s struggling for power, it could be a faulty EGR valve. This is common on cars driven primarily on the outskirts and highways.

Airbag module recall
For models manufactured between September 2015 to April 2016, Ford had issued an official recall to replace the airbag control module. Get this checked.

Also worth knowing

Spare part cost and maintenance of the Figo is cheaper than it seems. It is also a fairly reliable car that is well built and inexpensive to run. However, it is always reassuring to try and find a car with a clean bill of health. Also, look for 2016 models as they are priced closed to the 2015 versions and though there are no changes, you are likely to get a longer warranty coverage.

How much to spend

Rs 5 to 6 lakh
A new Figo diesel costs around Rs 7.5 lakh. The asking price for used models starts at Rs 5 lakh and that’s not bad, given there has been only marginal changes (not mechanically) to the Figo in its three-year lifespan. That said, pay no more than Rs 6 lakh for a used model and if you do, make sure the car in question has under 15,000km on the odo and is a top-spec Titanium+ trim.